Photo gallery: Military probe at site of Cley helicopter crash

The scene at Cley next the Sea after an American military helicopter crashed and another landed after the incident. What is thought to be some of the wreckage lies on the marshes.
PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

Members of the public are being urged to stay away from the site on the marshes off Cley and Salthouse for safety reasons, and to allow the investigation to proceed unhindered.

The crash scene is the size of a football pitch, and police and military staff are at the scene - alongside a second helicopter, which was taking part in a military exercise when the other helicopter crashed.

A strict cordon remains in place around the Norfolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve, and those involved in the investigation include Ministry of Defence, Air Accident Investigation Branch, US Air Force and HM Coroner.

Two helicopters were involved in the training activity last night and following the crash the second aircraft landed nearby to assist.

The location of the helicopter crash (red pin) at Cley. Picture: Google Map

Speaking from the scene, Chief Supt Bob Scully said: “The crash site is about the size of a football pitch, with difficult terrain which makes this a challenging and lengthy process.

“This is mainly on marshland although some debris which was close to the beach has been moved as it would be vulnerable to high tide.

“Further close examinations of the scene will take place this morning and the bodies of the deceased will be removed once this has taken place.

“The helicopter was carrying ammunition this was in the form of bullets which are scattered across the site, which is why the restrictions are necessary.

Accident investigators at Cley where one American helicopter crashed killing all on board and a second (pictured) landed near the crash site.
PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding at such a challenging time and our thoughts remain with those affected by this tragic incident.”

Specialist military personnel will attend to assess the environmental impact while the A149 remains closed through Cley. Access to Beach Road and East Bank is also restricted and there is no coastline access to the crash site.

The crashed aircraft is a USAF Pave Hawk HH60 helicopter from RAF Lakenheath, which came down at the north end of East Bank at around 7pm.

Names of the airmen killed in the crash will be released 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications.

The helicopter crash scene at first light on Wednesday morning. Picture: Sarah Whittley

The aircraft, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, was performing a low-level training mission along the coast when the crash occurred.

A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath was also in the area at the time of the crash and set down on the marshes to try to assist, this was within the cordon and so this aircraft remains at the scene while inquiries are ongoing.

A five-mile radius exclusion zone for any aircraft in the north Norfolk area has been put in place.

Due to the geography and the munitions from the crashed helicopter, inquiries into the cause of the collision, the recovery of the wreckage and second aircraft and an environmental assessment are expected to take a number of days to complete.

Police and fire services at the Dun Cow at Salthouse for the Cley marshes helicopter crash incident. Picture: Denise Bradley

Last night people in the area spoke of their shock at the tragedy and told of hearing a “heavy and very unusual” sound overhead as the helicopter plummeted into marshland.

Peter and Sue Mcknespiey, who run Cookies Crabshop in Salthouse, heard what sounded like a helicopter and then jets flying overhead before becoming aware of fire engines, police and emergency services outside.

She said: “It just seemed an unusual thing. It didn’t seem normal because it was so low and they don’t fly low anymore.”

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb said the crash was “utterly tragic”, adding: “My heart goes out to the families of the crew, and it is all the more difficult because I suspect the families are from a long way away and the news is just filtering through.

“It is highly traumatic too for the local communities but it was quite close to the villages and could have been even more horrific if it came down on buildings.”

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said six fire crews were in attendance until around 11.30pm.

A spokesman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution said: “We were asked for three lifeboats to respond to reports that an aircraft had possibly ditched in the sea.

“Lifeboats Wells, Sheringham and Cromer were launched at the request of the coastguard but were stood down when it was confirmed that the aircraft had come down over land.”

Did you witness anything? Contact the newsdesk on 01603 772443 or email newsdesk@archant.co.uk

You have to ask the question why was this helicopter carrying live ammunition, it was a training exercise. There is no need for live ammunition, what duty would it be called away for, the USAF need to be asked these questions, they should not be flying over our country with live ammunition

helicopters are hardly ever troubled by birdstrike as their rotor operates horizontal, my guess, going by what locals reported on hearing a heavy chopping, low frequency noise, is that they had a technical or an operator problem before they crashed, but the black box will reveal all.

Yes Peter Law, thank you someone else who posts on here with a bit of common sense!
This helicopter for your information can be air to air refueled therefore if need be can attend mission where and when needed.

Saw one of these when driving from fakenham to Norwich yesterday afternoon, flying low and quite slow. wondered what sort it was and the picture confirms it. Not a nice way to go but at least it didn't involve others.

My condolences to the families involved. I hope the area will be de-contaminated and cleared up of ammunitions. If you, as an ally, fly over US territory on any training flight, you will not be allowed to fly armed.

derek mcdonald the raf aircraft carry live rounds on training missions all the time, we have no idea what the training mission was and we shouldnt speculate , for all we know they were or had been to the ranges. more importantly our thoughts are with the families of the aircrew of this aircraft and to the personnel at raf lakenheath

Please speak for yourself Peter. The black box recorder will have the information required. Has the aircraft kept to its original flight plan? what was this life ammunition exercise and why were inhabited area's overflown?